My attempt to be Coherent

Alive Again?

2009-09-14T02:37:00.000-07:00

Last January one of my closest friends died horribly and unexpectedly. It was a terrible time for our family as my husband was having serious health problems and both he and my son had gotten laid off at Christmas.

So, now it's September, the time when things start to die. After nine months I am finally starting to remember myself again. How I used to take a little pride in my home. How I used to laugh and be silly. How I used to care very much about what was going on in the lives of people around me. Even how I used to have a passion for making jewelry.

The leaves are falling all around me, the tomato plant my friend and I planted together has died. But there is a blossom coming from the seed of joy left dormant over these long months.

SSSSH................!!!!!!

2009-07-30T01:05:00.000-07:00

The SATeam Summer Sizzler Sale is Here! SSSH - from Thursday, July 30 to Sunday, August 2 - get FREE shipping with any of your purchases - just put SSSH into the comments section and you will receive FREE shipping.

Check out the other great deals to be had that weekend through some of the fabulous SATeam members participating!

http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=6461895

And here is a look at some of the wonderful things you will find!

Isn't that just the MOST gorgeous necklace?
Caron from http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5928790
makes gorgeous stuff and is part of our sale!

These darling earrings are REAL preserved Orchids! Michelle from http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=6450232 has these in her shop, and SO much more!

BIG SALE!!!!!!

2009-05-29T12:30:00.000-07:00

My team of FABULOUS (truly!!) jewelry makers is having a sale this weekend!!!!

Go check it out at http://starvingartiststeam.blogspot.com/

Here are a couple samples of the beauties on sale....mine too!!

Starving Artists Team on Etsy BIG SALE!!!!

2009-04-24T00:59:00.001-07:00

Our FABULOUS Jewelry team on Etsy is having a sale today.....All of the participating shops are offering FREE SHIPPING ALL WEEKEND LONG!!!!

Here is a link to my shop: www.lavalleygirly.etsy.com
and the teams shop where a list of shops is available for your surfing pleasure!!
www.sateam.etsy.com

1000th Etsy Sale!!!

2009-04-17T00:48:00.000-07:00

I DID it!!! I dont know why it makes me so happy, but hitting my 1000th sale on Etsy is like crack!!!!! I've been so happy all day. And today is my 2nd "Etsyversary", so it's very appropriate that I have my 1000th sale at the same time!!! Yeay!

If any of you are reading this who are my FABULOUS customers....THANK YOU from the bottom of my heart, it has been a joy serving you!

If any of you are reading this and REALLY want to have 1000 sales under your belt.....know that you CAN do it, it takes lots of time and energy. You just have to keep doing all the things everybody tells you to do....just way way more often!

And here is the 1000th item sold:

It's one of my Laurel Flowers....a design I came up with a long time ago and is having a good run :)

900th sale!!!! WOW

2009-03-23T01:59:00.000-07:00

It wasnt that long ago that I came in here crowing about five hundred sales...but folks, in less then three months I am now at 900!!! Can you believe it??

I am thrilled! Never ever dreamed it could go this well!!!

I AM NOW A TWITTER-ER

2009-02-21T01:34:00.000-08:00

In honor of my new Twitter status I am featuring a few really cute fellow twitter-ers from Etsy.com.

If you want to follow me: www.twitter.com/lavalleygirly

www.laika6000.etsy.com

www.threewheelsdesign.etsy.com

www.barkingbirdart.etsy.com

So you want to be a successful seller on Etsy?

2008-12-29T23:07:00.000-08:00

If your dreams of becoming a successful Etsy seller are fading fast, I have one question for you........are you a BUYER on Etsy? If you havent sold any items or many items....it's time for you to go shopping!!

Now dont get all worried, There are plenty of inexpensive things that are thoroughly wonderful!

But you need to establish yourself. People need to see your good feedback. If you are a trusted buyer then it goes to show you will be a trusted seller! It's not a backbreaking task for sure!

Here are a couple of things I have bought and LOVE!!!

MossyOwls.etsy.com EssentialGoodies.etsy.com (try 'Amazing Grace or Still!)

Happy shopping :)

500th Sale on Etsy!!!

2008-11-08T03:28:00.000-08:00

Simply AMAZING! Do you have any idea how hard it is to get anyone to notice you on Etsy much less BUY something from you? So, after about 1 1/2 years I have hit the milestone of 500 sales! Here is a picture of the 500th item sold...
Not the most glamorous thing I sell, but they are something people like because I sell a lot of them.

I am going to have a little think back to when I started my Etsy shop. My friends were HORRIFIED at how cheap my prices were. Well, I had a PLAN...I had all this cheap but cute stuff sitting around. I had very few tools or equipment and I had a dream to learn how to solder and work with Sterling Silver..which I could not afford to do when I started Etsy. So the plan was to use the stuff I had to make sales on Etsy and then gradually start incorporating nicer components...along with a little higher prices.

Guess what? People BOUGHT from me....it was all just stuff that was languishing in my house...I put it together and people gave me money for it.

I saved up and bought a torch and various equipment.....learned how to solder....I now have a pretty darned nice studio set up.....paid for by ALL ETSY MONEY!

My prices are still low...but they are fair to me. I am doing what I love, just had my best month evAR.

There will always be more tools, gems and silver to buy...that is part of the FUN....but I am glad that my business plan has worked out so well. It feels DANG good!!!

HELD......Sterling Silver and Pearl Necklace

2008-11-02T01:27:00.000-07:00

I used to hold on to way too much. But as I've gotten older I train myself to let go of things that I dont need. But what I have discovered is there are plenty of things I've held onto that aren't things.....they are.....feelings.......anger, fear, resentment, toxic things. I'm getting rid of them slowly.

Now, everything and everyone I hold on to is a decision I have made that I want that in my life....well, some of you I'm sure I'm still deciding on.....oh, and there's a coat I've had for a long time that I cant decide about....but overall, I'm doing pretty well!

2008-10-26T13:47:00.000-07:00

AGING STINKS.....with a couple of exceptions....

2008-09-21T00:12:00.000-07:00

Maturity....ah that elusive little bugger........no fair that it takes so long to come and you only get it in such small doses. And then you are too old and tired to care that you are mature.

Aging is so tough, but the best thing about it is that you begin to gain real perspective on life, the way you choose to live it and the things that get thrown at you during it.

I used to think that everyone needed to know every single thought I had. That somehow I would burst if I didn't share MY perspective on everything. Now, to be honest.....I have only made a few deliberate steps away from that...it's not been a 'growth/maturity' thing.....well, outside of the fact that I recognized that people didnt WANT to know what I thought about every single blooming thing. It was a big moment for me......someone actually TOLD me that they didnt need to know every single thought that went through my head and that my opinion would be more valued if it was meted out a bit. Wow, I was gobsmacked! What nerve, what kind of person would say that kind of hurtful thing to a friend...what a painful blow...what a MOMENT OF ILLUMINATION!

I wish I could find that friend, I wish I could tell her that even though she doesnt know it and isnt around to see it that I really did hear what she said. And it changed my life.

But......the tendency never really goes away.....I still have to really work hard to cork up the dam of words that wants to fly out....and I have limited success with it. But I am aware........that must be the part that growing older and maturing has to do with it......

Kristine's Heart

2008-08-13T01:14:00.000-07:00

I created this stylized heart for my Sister-in-law to be. The syombolism here is that the heart is composed of two separate pieces of silver, bonded (soldered) together. Each part adding it's own uniquness to the whole. This heart also has sparkly Swarovski crystals wound around it......like her sparkling personality, and it is a Big Heart (over 2" wide) like hers.

For My Son's 21st Birthday

2008-08-10T02:14:00.000-07:00

I made him this cross. It was a labor of love. I made it in a style I thought he would related with.

New FAB Hair Thingy.........

2008-08-09T01:38:00.000-07:00

This one I'm especially proud of...I love this. To wear it is to feel feminine and strong, just like this little flower. Made from copper I have given this piece a patina and sanded away until it came to the place that it needed to look.

The are on my site lavalleygirly.etsy.com along with many other choices for hair Glamour.

Timeless Chandeliers

2008-08-02T02:44:00.000-07:00

I love chandelier earrings. They bring out the femininity in me. I love they was they move against my cheek. I love the tinkling sounds of the beads dancing together.

They will always be what I put on when I want to feel special. Fabulous Chandeliers

More FAB Hair Thingies

2008-07-31T01:49:00.001-07:00

These little guys are selling like hotcakes!!!

My FAB Hair Thingies!!!!

2008-07-24T03:05:00.001-07:00

OH yes..these rock! I am making a little different style now, it's easier to make and I am using beads...sometimes even lampwork beads by my friend Jennifer Kramer of http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=99355

Here's some pics for you to drool over!

LemonTree Sudio

2008-07-01T00:25:00.000-07:00

My new friend Shelley has the cuuutest shop! Here are a few of the things she makes:

Isnt this birdhouse DARLING?

And look at this cute owl...who (hooooo) doesnt love owls?

I bought these kitty magnets and they brighten up my boring 'fridge!

Here is the link for her shop http://www.etsy.com/profile.php?user_id=5622688

Ooooh, These are fun to make!

2008-06-12T01:09:00.000-07:00

Ok, MORE scrolly stuff, but I LOVE scrolly stuff! It's so fun to make, it's almost like I cant mess it up....well not too badly............

Niiiiiiice!

2008-05-17T23:56:00.000-07:00

Wow, my wonderful friend, Jennifer Kramer surprised me with these wonderful earrings! If you make jewelry you will know how VERY much work goes into a piece like this! If you dont, you will see that they are just super-duper cool!!!

Jen is the Owner/Administrator of my home-away-from home: http://www.starvingjewelryartists.com/index.php?&CODE=01

She also has a wonderful shop:
http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=99355

Scrolled Silver

2008-05-13T00:15:00.000-07:00

Here's my latest offering on Etsy. I love soldering. This was a lot of fun to make. I love the ear wire connection because it doesn't add any length to the earrings.

Cool Hair Thingy Prototype

2008-04-28T22:06:00.000-07:00

Here's my latest project. I just LOVE this thingy! Wearing a dumb rubber band or claw is just the pits! It gets hot here in LA and I like to be able to throw my hair up, but I always feel so ugly!

So, I designed this little baby! I am testing it out right now. Working on some other designs and other way cool 'secret' things for it.

This next pic is of it in my hair.....after a whole DAY in the hot, sweaty LA sun. I didn't even touch my hair before the pic, or ALL day!!! Wow!!

Li'l Poppies

2008-04-27T14:32:00.000-07:00

So here's my new latest pair of earrings.........these are tiny things, about 3/4". Posts, which I haven't made a lot of, but they are really fun to make.

The center is a little red coral cab......3 mm!! Teeny!! It was interesting setting it......never tried to set a cab in a cup like that.......tricky!!

But I like how they turned out.......I see more post-making in the future!

Let It Be

2008-04-13T22:56:00.000-07:00

I love little taglines....just little reminders. Sometimes they get overused......

I made this set after hearing Brooke White on American Idol sing 'Let It Be'. Of course I had to do it 'my' way.....: )

Vintage Commission

2008-03-25T23:52:00.000-07:00

A friend of mine commissioned me to make a set from some beads that had once belonged to her great aunt. Really pretty faceted glass. All different sizes.

Here are the pics from that venture:

Kitty Pic

2008-03-17T21:25:00.000-07:00

Ok, so I haven't taken any jewelry pics yet....but here's a pic of my cat on our back door:

My Sad Boring Blog

2008-03-16T00:35:00.001-07:00

Yes, Yes, I know.......no pics yet........I've not been good on the pic front. My poor Mother-in-law is pining away in PA for pics of our new house. My friends want to see my new jewelry set-up, and *I* just want to make jewelry!!!

Well, I am finishing up some pieces tomorrow, maybe I'll get all motivated and actually snap a few pics! (oh *I* know why I haven't taken pics....I like things to look like we dont live in a rubble heap.......so I'd have to clean AND take pics AND post them.....now I get why I haven't done that yet *grin*)

Moved In!

2008-02-24T22:38:00.000-08:00

Well, almost! But it's looking good around here....Oh, I forgot to blog about that we moved! Yes, from Granada Hills to Glendale. I love Glendale! We are in the middle of everything!

We have a cute house that has the most beautiful hardwood floors and a lovely garden....just waiting for me to come and muck it all up!!

I'll try to get a few pics up.

The biggest problem for me is trying to get my jewelry studio set up. I have a great space for it, but I need to buy a workbench.....so I'm shopping now....sigh, I just wanna go and melt and pound some metal!!!!!

3:00 in the Morning

2008-01-28T03:21:00.000-08:00

It's 3:00 in the morning. No, 3:22. I am not asleep, obviously. I've got my Trader Joe's Sleepy Time Tea and a whole wheat Hawaiian Roll sitting here. It's pouring rain, for over a week now...this is LA! I moved from Seattle.....oh well, we need it. You'd think it would lull me to sleep. It seems like nothing does.

Sometimes I wonder if I'm nocturnal. I start getting REAL sleepy at about 5 in the morning.

Having a sleeping disorder is not cool. Really, really not cool.

Moving and starting over

2008-01-18T00:36:00.000-08:00

Well, it's that time again. We are moving...again. Wow, all of the emotions wrapped up in this.....wow.

We are moving for my almost 15 y/o DD so she can have a chance to blossom at a 'normal' school.

We must love her, moving is hard. Decluttering is FREAKIN hard. I have some things I never use. My grandmother died what I was still very young. The only thing I have of hers is a necklace, and a set of three kind of odd vases. I have to keep them, that's all I have, but I wont USE them I don't think, I really haven't yet...........so ...that stays. But what about the hundreds of other things that have special meaning to me...what about those things. huh????????

Yes, this is gonna be hard. From 2400 square feet to1800 square feet, yes, quite a wonderful challange!!!

Presents

2007-12-29T02:30:00.000-08:00

Well, Christmas has come and gone, my heart has stopped beating it's self out of my chest. Finally. Thank God. Phew! Now I am trying to majorly get a bee in my bonnet to do some destashing around here.

I used to be the destashing QUEEN! I mean I would throw everything away, if I didn't like it or didn't feel like it was being used enough, it was outta here. Well some family issues developed over that so I had to back off a little....and ended up backing off just a *tidge* too far! So now I'm back at it......doing the refining, so I can FIND things. Oh FUN! ;/

So, here are a couple of presents I made for Christmas.

The 1st is for my Sister-in-law. This set is made from an Onyx focal and Golden Amozonite accents with handmade, soldered round rings for kicks.

This second necklace I made for my mother. We both have a deep love for birds, especially teeny tiny birds, so I made this for her from sterling silver...uhm, it's harder to do than it looks!

A little Christmas Help!

2007-11-24T15:46:00.000-08:00

OK, I have done it too, wander around looking for the perfect things and either I end up buying stuff I'm not really that excited about...or nothing and have to go back out again. So today I'm gonna show you some of my faves and hopefully some great ideas for Christmas gifts.

A girl cannot have to many cool pouches!! These little bags by http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=7462742 are just Darling!!

And this girl makes the most beautiful cards!!! Just lovely and the price is so reasonable!

Here's her link: http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=7974849

My friend lmea made this gorgeous bracelet with my hand crafted copper button!
Here's her link: http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=7746606

OK, that's all for now, I'll do some more later...looking around for Men's Stuff...that's the toughest usually!!

Ugh...me.....DARK?

2007-11-20T00:03:00.000-08:00

Ya, that last post was a little dark for me...ok, you saw my big freakin' grin in my pic......I DO smile a lot. So, sorry if I brought the room down!! Why do holidays bring out the grinch in us? OK...me.....am I the only one? NO, I KNOW I'm not, I have to drive on the freeway with ya'll, there are more grinch's out there than just me and I want to HIT you....yet, smack you.....get outta my way, will ya.....we have to share the same road and you are up my tiny car's rear end with your gross fat gas-eating giant ugly SUV (OR truck...why do the jerks drive WHITE trucks....sorry to any of you nice white truck driver's out there, there must be at least one or two of you.....somewhere....) You make me want to say words that might make me go to hell!!!!!!

WAHHHHH I'm DARK again....WAHHHHHHHHHH!!!

Ok, well, now...... (works up nice LA white toothed smile).....here's my newest piece of heaven........
(I smiled when I made this) (so there!!!)

Ever feel like you are being Targeted?

2007-11-18T00:29:00.000-08:00

Like you could look up and there would be an anvil on it's way down....coming right at your head?

Oh how about sitting in your car and feeling like something is gonna ram right into you. I think this is a reaction to stress. You ever get that? I walk around ducking and hiding because I'm SURE something is gonna get me sooner or later....it always does!

I suppose that with the holidays right around the corner especially woman will feel like that. Like some big awful thing will happen if we dont create the prefect holiday for our family. We have to have the perfect presents, well thought out and lovingly created...for everyone!! Then there are the cardsw..of which I just cannot handwrite anymore, I'm sorry, I can't do it........so guess what, I'm waiting for that friendship that will be out the window cuz I couldn't write out my best wishes to their card. Sheesh, so many expectations.

For me, it's all about hanging out, eating good food and hopefully having one or two moments that make you gasp. Connections with old friends, conversations with mothers and sister, a family member finally singing for all, and with a very nice voice to....seeing how big your nephew got. Seeing how gentle your son is with his new girlfriend. Seing how gentle my husband is with his lovely 14yo daddys girl. Life is full of gasps. I want them ALL.

Oh, that picutre is of a rose necklace that I just finished....isn't it purtty?? I have set a little red coral cab in the middle. Its for sale on my Etsy account lavalleygirly.etsy.com check it out!!

Places I hang out

2007-11-15T00:34:00.001-08:00

Well, sometimes I'm here....wanna do more of that. But I also hang out TONS at Cagey Crafters..(http://cageycrafters.invisionzone.com/) What a great site! Wonderful people who are fabulously talented and willing to share their knowledge.

I am also on Etsy a lot to....fun place to surf. But if you decide to wade into their waters...be careful, it's highly addictive!!! http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5126595
That's for my shop, but click the Orange Etsy box to enter the deep water!!

Here's a pic of my newest design......lovin' the jewelry!

Balance Challange

2007-11-09T01:57:00.001-08:00

Its always a struggle for me to find and maintain balance in my everyday life. Mostly I would just put everything on the back burner and make jewelry. But there IS a business side of it that must be dealt with. But REALLY, I mean, I just want to do my ART! (whine appropriately) I guess I could end up really soon just sitting in piles and piles of my own jewelry. That would be bad! People are supposed to want to want to wear this stuff!!

So, I goota sell it somehow. What I want to do is just make it and not worry about what happens beyond that.....yes, really realistic, right???

More Jewelry stuff

2007-11-02T01:34:00.001-07:00

What can I say......I GOTTA do it! So if you stumble in here....you'll see it for sure!!

This is a necklace that I had so much fun making....I love hearts and this is fun because every one I make has it's own personality. I have oxidized the chain and kept the heart shiny bright silver......isn't it cool? It gives it an edgy look!

This second set is made with Swarovski Crystal Hearts and sterling silver. I have selectively antiqued it to give it a rather edgy look.

I donated this set to help raise funds at a silent auction for Kids Konnected http://www.kidskonnected.org/html/home.htm

Well the holidays are approaching fast and it's that time...time to start shopping for our loved ones before all the good stuff is gone!!!

So go check out my jewelry site, I'd love to make you something special!! And there are plenty of lovely, well-made and unique items there.......plus, I gift-wrap for free!!

Big sale gong on right now....check it out!!!! http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5126595

new, uhm, Boobs

2007-10-18T02:23:00.000-07:00

Yes folks, as you already now it's breast cancer awareness month! I have made and given several bracelets to charities and survivor friends. But the one piece I just dont know what to do with is this....

A Week for Learning

2007-10-08T23:53:00.000-07:00

Wow, I had such a trip!! I spent a whole week at a beautiful lakehouse with a bunch of very talented jewelry artists. It was the opportunity of a lifetime for me!!

These first earrings have many new techniques. I got to roll the silver sheet through a rolling mill to give it that matte look. Then I sweet soldered the curvy copper ribbons on the edges.....then I put a rivet in the top....not my new favorite skill, I almost ruin the whole thing!! BUT, I LOVE doing the bezel setting!! Those are carnelians and I set them in the there bezel!!!

The next project was the three rings. I ran them through the rolling mill pounded them on the anvil and cut the and soldered them, then reshaped them and finaly hammered the texture in. The dumped them in the pickle and finally the tumbler for a super shine!

This next project was the hardest! II had to cut out a shpe to match the stone from a sheet of sterling. Then I had to measure the stone with the bezel wire. Then solder it all together...easier said than done!!! Then I soldered on the decorations...then I SET the STONE!!! YIKES that was hard!!! Got a couple of scratches on it, but not bad for a first try!

This is just an idea I had for mixing metals. This copper disk seemed to want to be dressed up with a silver ribbon!

And this to the left is my first success with chainmaille!! I still have a ways to go before it's done, but I am so hapry to be able to DO it now. This is a Euro 4in1 and I love it!!!!!

I may start to show pics here of my jewelry making expiditions, if anyone would like to see the behind the scenes of how things like these get made I would be willing to do a little of that for fun.......

Lookee what I found!!!

2007-09-16T03:10:00.001-07:00

I found this in a strand of freshwater pearls!!! Cool, huh?

And actually the way its drilled is perfect for a little Mickey pendant!!!

Meme??

2007-09-15T00:24:00.000-07:00

Huh, I just got tagged for a meme by my new dear friend Chrystal, who I'm gonna shake.....oh ya, is that #3...yes the 'moaning meme'. I do not know what a meme is, I think it's the nickname we called my cousin Michelle she she was a little baby!!!

I'm not even sure how to link to another blog....guess I'll have to sort that out!!! But for now, I'm gonna just show some jewelry I made.

OK, this first piece was from a color challenge on the forum I hang out on: http://cageycrafters.invisionzone.com/

I really like how it turned out, but boy did I get fussy with it! I mean REALLY!!! All those teeny tiny beads! Anyhow, I handformed the base from Sterling silver and hammered that ( I LOVE hammering things!!!) and then wove the rest of the stones on there. It has turned out to be one of my faves...but since it was for a color challenge, that means that they were mostly colors I dont wear....so I have to find something besides a white t-shirt to wear it with......it is LOVELY to wear!!!

Then there are these chandeliers.......I made the forms for these AGES ago when I was first learning to solder. The forms are really hard for me, but everytime I put something on Etsy that is soldered like this, it gets snatched up!! I kinda wish I would have kept these, but the girl who got them say they are her faves now, so that makes my heart very happy!!!!

About Blogging & Technology

2007-09-10T00:19:00.000-07:00

I don't want to be one of those old ladies that is scared of everything new. OK, yes, I'm not exactly an old lady yet...but I *know* some. Remember when the microwave came out and old people were sure it was gonna kill everyone!

Now I have to keep up with technology or I will look silly. It's a lot of work for me cuz I just don't think that way. I'm not a techi person AT ALL. I'm artsy-fartsy!!! I mean I spend my whole adult life as a professional singer, now I am a voice teacher and a jewelry artist.

So, recently here are the things I've learned.......how to take a picture and download it on the computer, and learned how to actually GET it to where it needs to be. (oh and edit it and all that stuff) I learned how to open an e-commerce shop. I learned how to record my voice lessons and burn them to a CD..(wish I coulda had that when I was taking lessons!!!) Learned how to use a SLR Camera...sheesh, that was hard, am STILL learning how to work my Blackberry and the Treo bluetooth that goes with it. Oh, and my Ipod mini........*sometimes* I can work that!

And this does not count that I just moved to LA less than a year ago and am still learning to get around. So that's not really technology....but it DOES use up brain cells that are not used to functioning!!!

So, now I have a blog and I have to figure out things like how to 'pimp it out'. LOL

On aging well...

2007-09-09T02:41:00.000-07:00

As I age....and age I HAVE! I am learning so much about myself. we have lived in LA for aonly a year and it is quite a striking difference from everywhere else! People here are always 'dressed'....even if you think they aren't...they ARE. their shoes are the *right* shoes with the *right* bag. You might not notice it at first, but everything is very well thought out.

Now, in Vegas, where we came from...anything went.........if you were a fat pig and wanted to wear dolphin shorts and flip flops...go right ahead. We might stare at you, but it's still ok. Here, if someone did that.....the people would be so embarrsed just to have to SEE them like that. I mean what were they thinking??? Your hurting my *eyes*.

It's hard to be relaxed here in LA about how you look. People here are very much all about how they look, without looking like they care very much about how they look!!! Lots of women don't wear any, or much makeup at all, but do you know what they have to DO to get to that point? OH yes, chemical peals and allkinds of nasty stuff just so they can go makeupless!!!

And they are all so TAN. I live here, too, I have a pool, and I get in it and also lay in the sun quite frequently.....but these people have year round tans. Like they have tanned so hard for so long that it just stays now! Their skin is so tan it is leather.

Well, I want to age gracefully, but the closer it gets.......the more I want to check out all those places that do all those nasty things to you to make you look younger......no, I can't, I just can't......maybe I'll just wear my hair pulled back REALLY tight!!! LOL.